Dry cleaner



April 6 1926.v

J. NEEDRE DRY CLEANER April e A, 192s.

Y.1. NEEDRE DRY CLEANER Filed July 2. 1925 6 Smau-Sheet 5 IIII:

(j/2)? f/Veedf'e, JWM

akamu 1,580,101 J. NEI-:DRE

DRY CLEAN April s 192s.

Filed July 2, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ivo April 6 1926. l 1,580,101 J. NEEDRE DRY CLEANER l Filed July 2. 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Wwf@ ao: nu

April e', 192e. 1,580,101 J. NEEDRE l DRY CLEAN l Filed July 2, 1925 `e; shuts-shut e wg. e.

:Patented Apr. 6, 19126.l

UNITED, STATES PATENT' OFFICE;

JOHN NEEDRE, F NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA.

DRY CLEANER.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, JOHN NEEDRE, a 'citi-v l zen of the United States, residing at Newport News, in the county. of l/Vaiwick and second the gasoline extracted therefrom and third the clothes deodorizedso that. all odor of the gasoline will he effectivelyI removed therefrom.

A further 0b ject of the inventionvis to pro` vide a single machinefor cleaning clothes,

iso

-ing the clothes receiving cylinders within the frame for receiving the drive gear, when the extracting the cleaning fluid from the clothes and deodorizing the same, which will be of avcompact nature and eliii'iinatetlie necessity of providing threedifferent machines for cleaning, extracting and deodorizing.

A further object of the invention 'is the provision of a novel cleaningextracting and deodorizing machine for clothes, embodying a novel vat for receiving the cleaning fluid arranged in a novel manner within a supporting frame, and novel means for mountvat. l

A further object ofthe invention is the provision of novel means for introducing the cleaning Huid ,within the vat and novel means for rotating the cylinders within the Viti). 'i

A further. object of theinvention is the provision of novel means for rotating the cylinders after the draining of the gasoline from the vatfor removing or extracting the gasoline or cleaningfiuid from the clothes themselves by centrifugal action. A

A further object 0f the invention is the provision of novel means mounted directly within the vat for deodorizing the clothes after the gasoline'has been drained therefrom, .rangement ef steam pipes for forming a radiator to vaporize the remaining gasoline, the. gasoline .vapors being farmed out of theclothes by the rapid rotation ofthe clothes y cylinder.

A still further object of the .invention is -to provide an improved machine of the above character, which will be durable and efficient 'Application led July 2,

said mea-ns including the novel ar"' 1925. Serial No. 41,206.

in use, onethat will be simple and easy to manufacture and 'one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

lVith these and other objects in View, the

invention consists in Athe novel construction,

arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described,

claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings: Y

Figure l is a topplan view'of the improved maohine, y

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, Figure 3 is a transverse section through the improved machine illustrating the construe# tion and arrangement ofthe vat Within the supporting frame, and the clothes receiving cylinders within the vat, l

Figure 4 is a central longitudinal section through the. vat showing the clothes receivingV cylinders in side elevation,

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the improved device, partsthereof being shown iu section, y

Figure 6 is a detail fragmentary elevation illustrating the means for operating the clutch. for throwing the clothes receiving oylf 'inders in high speed,

7 1s a section through v-the same Figure taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a detail sectional ,view illustrating the stub shaft carried by the vat Figure 9 is a transverse section through aA infod'ified form of clothes receiving cylinder. Referring to the drawings in detail, Wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates the improved machinefor cleaning the clothes, extracting the cleaning fluid from the clothes and for deodorizing the clothes after the extracting of thecleaning fluid therefrom. The improved machine A comprisfs a supporting fra-mef, Whichlcan be constructed from-any material, such as 4wood or the like and the same embodies a front and rear pair of corner standards 6 and 7 The front pair of standards 6 are connected together by upper and lower longitudinally extending brace bars 8 land 9, and by diagonally extending brace bars l0. The rear pair of corner standards 7 are connected substantially in the same manner, and the said front and rear pairs of the standards can be) connected together by transverse brace bars 11. This frame '5 can be supported in any preferred manner, such as by feet 12 and these feet can be connected by arcuate transversely extending beams 13. Y

Arranged Within the frame 5 is the vat 15, which is preferably formed of metal, of a non-corrodible character. This vat 15 embodies side Walls 16 and 17, end Walls 18 and arcuate bottom Walls 19 and an arcuate top Wall 20. It is to be noted that the bottom wall 19 is of an arcuate shape, in order to permit .the cleaning fluid to naturally drain toward the longitudinal center thereof. The sides and bottom of the vat are spaced from the frame and suitable compression springs 21 are arranged between the vat and the frame for absorbing shock and to reduce the transmission of vibration from the vat to the frame incident to the rotation of the clothes receiving members Within the vat, as Willl be now described.

The novel clothes receiving devicel is I generally indicated by the lreference char- 25 acter 25 and the same includes the clothes receiving cylinders 26, which are formed of metal of a non-corrodible character and i these cylinders arel corrugated for acting on the clothes. Eachv of the'cylinders 26 is perforated throughout as at 27 so as topermit the free ioW of cleaning fluid there-z.

through. These cylinders are fitted against hub plates 28 and are confined against said hub plates by the means of annular bands 29 which extend entirely about the cylinders adjacent to the terminals thereof and at a point intermediate the ends thereof. These bands 29 are brought into intimate contact With the said cylinders by means of spokes 30 which extend radially from the hub plates and through the'fbands, the outer terminals of the spokes having threaded thereonnuts 31 for engaging the said bands.

In order to permit the introduction of the clothes Within the cylinders, each cylinder is provided With sliding doors 32 on each side of the intermediate band 29. The doors 32 are mounted in guide Ways 33 formed in the said cylinder and can be maintained in a closed positionlin any desired Way, such as by the means of a suitable fastener.

' The top wall 20 of the vat or tank 15 is also provided with a pivoted closure or door 34Which can also be maintained in a closed position by the use of a suitable fastener or catch 35. I prefer to mount the door in such a way, as to prevent the escape of fluid around the same during' the operation of the device. By rotating the bands 29,'the cylinders 26 can be brought into close proximity to the door 34 one at a time,

Wherebythe clothes can be readily placed in or removed from the said cylinders.

Inprdcr to permit the rotation of the clothes receiving device, adrive shaft 36 rection.

ing device 25 forms an important part of as to permit the easy rotation of the said clothes receiving device at various speeds, for a purpose, which will be hereinafter more fully described. It is to be noted that one end of the shaft 36 is provided with a relatively largel spur gear Wheel 39, `With which is adapted to mesh a relatively small drive spur gear Wheel 40 feathered on a drive `shaft 41. This drive shaft 41 is the invention and this means, is so arranged,

supported by suitable bearings 42 carried byA a supporting bracket 43. This bracket can be connected in any desired Way, such as by laterally extending arms 44 with the main frame 5. The drive shaft 41 has mounted thereon drive pulleys 45 and 46 and an idl'e pulley 47. .Around the drive pulley 45 is trained a straight belt 48, While a cross belt 49'is trained about the pulley 46. These belts, 48 and 49 are adapted tobe driven from a suitable line shaft and it is obvious that by shifting one belt or the other to the idle pulley, that the drive shaft In order to bring the drive spur gear`40 into and out of meshing engagement with the spur gear 39, so as to rotate the clothes receiving cylinders I provide a shiftlever 50 which is rockably mounted as at 51, at its lower end to a suitable supporting bracket` 52 carriedby the arms 44.. This lever 50 is'operatively connected to the gear l41 can be driven in either difor sliding the same along the shaft 41. `Y

In order to form an effective support for the drive gear 40 when the same is shifted into meshing engagement with the gear 39 'y Il Vrovide a stub shaft 53, which is rotatrie by thefi'ame 5. This stub'sha-ft exlab y mounted in a suitable bearing 54 carl tends over the spur gear 39 in direct alinement With the drive shaft 41 and the axial center of the gear 40 is provided with an opening to receive the same, when the gear 40 is moved over the spur gear 39.I

In, order to bring about the ,stopping of the shaft 36 and the clothes/receiving device 25 the inner face of the gear 39 can be providedwith a brake band 55, which is adapted to be engaged by a brake shoe 56. This brake shoe 56 is carried by a lever 57 pivotally secured as at 58 to the frame 5. It is obvious that byl operating'the lever the shoe 56 can be brought into and out of contact with the brake band 55. When the shaft 36 is ldriven from the spur gear 40, the clothes receiving device will be driven at a'relatively slow rate of speed. In order to drive the shaft 36 at a relatively high rate i of speed, a pulley wheel 60 is arranged on the opposite side of the vat and frame and this pulley wheel is rotatably mounted upon ashaft G1 which is rotatably carried lby a swinging arm 63. The lower end'of the arm extends downwardly ,and inwardly at an angle and is connected by means of' a. pin

. and slot connection as at 64, with a supporting bracket (S5 carriedby the frame 5 of the cleaning device. i

A suitable supporting bracket 6G is con-4 nected with the main frame 5 of the vdevice and this framecarries a bearing 67 in which is rotatably mounted. a stub shaft 68. A universal .joint 69 is utilized for connecting the stub shaft GSWwitli the drive shaft 36. The pulley 60 is adapted to be connected with the stub shaft G8 by the use of a suitable clutch 70 ofthe friction type and it'is I obvious that by shifting the pulley the saine can ybe operatively connected to said'v stub shaft. Thepulley 60 is adapted to lle operi ated from the line shaft (not shown) lor operating the drive shaft 4l lieretobefcre described.

The provision of the universal joint G9 prevents the transmission. of the vibrationsV from the clothes receiving device 25 to the flush. l

The means for operating the clutch 70 includes 'a short transverse shaft 71 provided with a bearing 72 carried bya laterally extending arm- 73 bolted or' otherwise secured tothe supporting bracket 66. This arm -73 slidably extends through a guide 74 on the lever 63 and this guide 74 is provided Witli openings 75 in which are fitted cams 76 eccentrically mounted on the shaft 71. One end of the shaft 71 is provided with a manipulating crank 77. It is obvious that by turning the crank 77 thatv the cams 76 will be operatedby'acting-onf the guide 74 and thus sliding the lever 63 toward or away from the vat, as the case may be. I preferito use a contractile"4 coil spring 7 8 connected with the lever and the bracket 66 for normalf ljy ur ing' the lever toward the vat to facili-i tate t e thro-wing in ofthe clutch 70. Any

other preferred means may be utilized for operating the clutch 70. The eXtreme lower end of the vat 15 at the longitudinal center' lthereof has y communicating therewith Va drain pipe 79. -The drain pipe 79 has connected thereto a coupling 80 to either end of which can be connected the leader pipe 81 Which.v can 'lead to a storage tank lfor `the cleaning, fluid. This pipe 4Slis provided with a coil 82 which isvpro# vided for the purpose of taking up shock.

bly,

The upper end of the vat has communicating .the steam coil and this pipe can also have-a single coil incorporated therewith to absorb vibrations. The purpose of the steam coil4 will now. be described. l

v ln order te permit the ready deodorizing of the garni-ents after the same have been cleaned and ythe cleaning fluidy extracted' thf'erefrom,` a steam coil 86 is arranged directly within lthe vat adjacent to the lower end thereof. This coil, which is in `the nature ofa radiator entirely surroundsl the garment receiving device 25. The pipe85 .can lead to any suitable source of steam su'pply,and

an outlet pipe is also provided for said steam coil.

i As has heretobeforel been intimated, the' clothes receiving device 25 isl rotated Within the vat and the cleaning fluid placed in the vat, and in order to reduce the splashing of the cleaning fluid incidentfto the rotation of the clothes receiving device, suitable outwardly extending flanges 88 are arranged within the vat at spaced points.' These flanges 88 project outwardly so as to catch the said cleaning fluid.

In operation of the ,improved device, the vat l5 is filled with cleaning fluid, such as gasoline, to a point slightly above the center ion thereof and the clothes arefintroduced into the cylinders 26 in themanner. heretofore described. 'An equal'amount offclothe's is preferably placed in each cylinder, so that the clothes vreceiving device aneed. After the clothes are placed in the cylinders the clothes receiving device is rotated through the medium of the shaft lll, thedesired length of time. The'rotation of the cylinders through the cleaning fluid will. all dirt from the' clothes4 effectively remove and after the clothes receiving device has been rotated the desired length of time, the Yrotation of the device is stopped and the 'gasoline is drained AJfrom the vat through the pipe 79. The cleaning operation of the "clothes is now completed and the machine is ready for its second operation, nainely the extracting of the cleaning fluid from said clothes.

The pulley 60 is connected with the shaft 36 through the medium of the clutch 70 and the clothes receiving device 25 is rotated at a relatively high rate of, speed, preferaat eight hundrdrevolutions per ininute. This rapidtrotation 'of the clothes receiving device will permit the throwing off of. the remaining gasoline from the clothes by centrifugal action andafter the. clothes@ .25 will be balreceiving device has been rotated a desired length of time it Will be found the clothes will be in a -substantially dry condition after which the power is closed ofi". The gasoline thrown olf of the clothes is permitted to drain from the pipe 79. By this manner the gasoline is readily extracted -from the clothes.

` In order to remove, all'odor of the gasoline from the\ clothes,steam is permitted to How v'into the steam coil 86 which will heat the clothes and the vat and vaporize any remaining gasoline therein. The clothes receiving device is now rotated ata high rate of speed for fanning the vapors out of theI clothes and after the clothes receivingfdevide has been rotated the desired length of time, the power is turned off and the ,cylinders are permitted to remain stationary a few minutes after which the cylinders are again turned slow for about ten' oi fifteen minutes. The steam is now shut olf andthe cylinders are allowed to i'evolve at a high rate of speed through the medium of the shaft 68 and pulley ($0 until all of the gasoline vapors have been entirely fanned out. At the end of this operation, it will be found that theV clothes lvill be completely deodorized.` s

When they vat is filled with gasoline, it is preferred to support the`same through the medium of 4suitable blocks 90 which are placed between the bottom wall 19 of the vat and the brace barsrof the main supporting frame. gThese blocksV can be removed during the cleaning Huid extracting and deodorizing processi;v 'p f In certain ,fnstanc'es Ii prefer to use a type of clothes receiving device generally indicated by the reference character 100 as shown in Figure 9off the drawings. This clothes receiving device 100 embodies -a large cylinder 101' which can be secured to the shaft 136. The cylinder 101 is divided into fou-rfcompartments 102 -by suitable spaced tubesloarranged at quarters with-` in 7 the 'cylinders.` i'Ih'( agioiiterA wall; of the cylinder fat each: vof "t is provided-@5v su duced withingithe said chambers.

machine for cleaning clothes,xtracting the cleaning Huid from the clothes and removing all odor of the cleaning fluid from the clothes. i

Changes in details may be made without departing fron the spirit or the scope of this invention, but- What I claim as new is:

1.I In a clothes cleaning apparatus, a sup-I port, a vat arranged in the support, means for resiliently supporting the vat within the support, a rotatable clothes receiving device arranged in the vat, means for rotating the clothes receiving device at a relatively low rate of speed from one end of the vat, means including a guide shaft arranged at the opposite-end of the'vat for rotating the garment receiving device at a relatively high rate of speed, and a universal joint connection between the said drive shaft and the garment receiving device.

vat on said drive shaft including a plurality of cylindrical garment receiving cylinders disposed at spaced points around the shaft, spaced bands extending around the cylinders and clamping the sameto the shaft, the said clothes receiving cylinders being perforated throughout, means for rotating the shaft, means for introducing and draining the cleaning fluid in the vat, a` solid steam coil arranged in the vat surrounding the lower end-of th clothes receivingl device for va'- porizing any remaining gasoline from the *clothesw after the gasoline has been drained p ;yfrom the Vat. y I means -of Whichfthe'clothes.. can be intro-gi.;d In testimonyN-Whereof I aiiixl my signaj ""ture. From the foregoing description, it can.'

hat; I yhave provided a cleaning y i .JOHNl NEEDRE. 

